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Sanford AirMed helicopter service to launch in Bismarck

(Bismarck, N.D.) – The Bismarck region of Sanford Health will soon operate Sanford AirMed, an air ambulance helicopter service that provides medical transport to critically ill or injured patients. Sanford AirMed consists of a highly trained team of flight paramedics, flight nurses, pilots and mechanics chosen for their expertise in their fields. A flight paramedic, flight nurse and pilot will be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Sanford AirMed service can be activated by hospitals and first responders, such as the local ambulance service, fire department or law enforcement. Sanford AirMed will transport patients to the facility of their choice or to the nearest appropriate medical facility. The helicopter can travel up to 165 miles per hour and has range of two hours and 30 minutes. This will typically serve patients within central and western North Dakota, including parts of South Dakota and Montana.

“This service is another example of Sanford Health delivering on its promise to enhance health care in central and western North Dakota,” said Craig Lambrecht, MD, president of the Bismarck region of Sanford Health. “Air medical care is vital in rural areas such as ours to deliver life-saving care quickly when needed.”

Sanford AirMed operates a fleet of four helicopters and four airplanes from bases in Bismarck, Fargo, Sioux Falls and Bemidji. With a dedicated Communications Center in Sioux Falls, Sanford AirMed can launch a helicopter within 10 minutes of accepting the flight from the referring hospital or first responder unit. Current plans are for the service to be operational in mid to late June.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas and is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation with locations in 126 communities in eight states. In addition, Sanford Health is in the process of developing international clinics in Ghana, Israel and Mexico.

Sanford Health includes 35 hospitals, 140 clinic locations and 1,360 physicians in 81 specialty areas of medicine. With more than 26,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in North and South Dakota. The system is experiencing dynamic growth and development in conjunction with Denny Sanford's nearly $700 million in gifts, the largest ever to a health care organization in America. These gifts are making possible the implementation of several initiatives including global children's clinics, multiple research centers and finding cures for type 1 diabetes and breast cancer. For more information, please visit sanfordhealth.org.